© Christopher J. Leary

White-spotted Slimy Salamander (Plethodon cylindraceus)

    The white-spotted slimy salamander is shiny black with whitish cream colored spots or flecks scattered on the sides of the body, back, head, and tail.   The glands in the skin secrete a sticky slime that sticks to your hands like glue.  They range in size from 11.4 - 20.6 cm (4.5 - 8.125 in).  They are found under rocks, logs, and stumps on the forest floor and tend to be found in wetter areas than red-backed salamanders.  The white-spotted slimy salamander mates from spring to summer.  In late summer, females lay a clutch of 6 to 36 eggs in or under logs and among roots.  The eggs hatch into larvae in late fall which reach full maturity in about 3 years.

Previous page
PRIMENet Amphibian Monitoring Program Homepage